Universal joint



March 4, 1930. w, c s 1,749,322

UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed July 16, 1928 v 15 ferred form of em Patented Mar.4, 1930 WILLIAM A. CHRYST, OF DAYTON,

DELCO PRODUCTS CORPORATION, WARE OHIO,

F DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELA-' ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,TO

UNIVERSAL JOINT Application filed July 16,

This invention relates to a non-metallic pivot joint connecting tworigid members.

' An object of this invention is to provide an improved form of pivotshackle having resilient non-metallic material therein which providesfor all relative movement between the connected parts by internaldistortion Within the resilient material, whereby looseness, rattle,wear, and necessity for lubrication are overcome.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom. the f0llowing description, reference being had to the accompanyindrawings, wherein a preodiment of the present invention is clearlyshown.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing I parts of' thefront end of an automobile chassis equipped with a hydraulic shockabsorber, and a so showing the thrust link connected to the shockabsorber lever arm by the pivot joint of this invention. I

Fig. 2 is a side elevation on a larger scale 25 of the pivot joint shownin Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section'on line 3-3 of Fig. 2..

Fig. 4 is a top view of Fig. 2. ,1

Fig. 5 is an end elevation looking inthe direction of arrow 5 in Fig. 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

In Fig. 1, IOdesignates the front end of the chassis side rail, 11 thefront axle, 12 the semielliptic leaf spring, and 13 a double cylinder hdraulic shock absorber unit which is rigi ly fixed to frame 10. Unit 13has a projecting rocker shaft 14 to which the swinging lever arm 15. isfixed. The outer end of arm 15 is pivoted to thrust link 17 by joint 19while the lower end of link 17 is ivoted by a similar joint to thefitting 16 w ich is rigid with axle 11. Now when axle 11 moves up towardrail 10 when spring 12 is flexed, the link 17 will force lever arm 15torotate counterclockwise against the resistance of a hydraulic pistonwithin unit 13. .When axle 11 moves down, the link 17 is put undertension to rotate leverv arm 15 in a clockwise direction the resistanceof mnnit 13. The arrangement of parts so far a hydraulic piston I 1928.Serial No. 293,168.

described form no part of this invention and hence are not disclosedherein in greater detail, this invention relating to the improved formof joint .19 connecting link 17 to lever arm 15.

The outer end of arm 15 has, preferably integral therewith, the twotransverse oppositely tapered journals 20. Over each tapered journal 20is telescoped a snugly fitting resilient soft rubber bushing 21 whichpreferably project slightly beyond the ends of journals 20 (see Fig. 3).

Two complementary half-housings 25 together form a housing whichcompletely encloses the journals 20 and confines the rubber bushings 21under a predetermined initial compression. The half-housings 25 are cutaway to provide an opening 26 which provides clearance for the lever arm15 to swing through the desired arc without contacting with the metalhousing. It will now be clear that thejrubber bushings 21"completelyisolate lever arm 15 from the half housings 25.

Half-housings 25. have mutually aligned rearwardly projecting ears 30having the throu h aperture 31 extending through same. The t readedupper portion of link 17 extends through hole 31, and the nuts 32 andlock washers 33 rigidly clamp the halfhousings together and at the sametime rigidly fix them to the. link 17. The rubber bush ings 21 are thuscompressed with the desired initial compression. 4 Such initialcompression will cause the rubber to grip the contacting metal walls andso resist relative slipping between the rubber and metal parts. Hencepivotal'movement at the joint 19 is accommodated by an internaldistortion within bushings 21 and without any slipping of partstogether. Hence all looseness, wear, and rattling between metal parts isentirel avoided and no lubrication of the joint is required.

Therubber bushings 21 are well protected by the metal housing 25, 25from outside deteriorating influences such as mud, sunshine, oil, roadtar, etc., and hence the life of the rubber is lengthened.

The joints 19 will obviously permit a slight universal movement betweenthe parts connected thereby due to the compressibilit of the quite thickrubber bushings 21. ooh I universal movement will be suflici'ent toaccommodate-the lateral or side sway move- 5 ment betwe'eh frame andaxle 12.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as hereindisclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood thatother forms might be adopted, all

10 coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. Incombination, a swinging arm, a rigid link connected to said arm b apivot joint,

5 said joint comprising: oppose tapered transverse journals rigid withthe arm end, a soft rubber bushing fitting snugly upon each of saidtapered journals, two complementary half-housings together enclosingboth of said journals and rubber bushings and COIlfiLDIlD said bushingsunder initial compression, sai half-housings having aligned projectingears having a hole extending through both ears, said 'link extendingthrough said hole and having means thereon for rigidly clamping saidhalf-housings together.

2. In combination, a swin ing arm, a rigid link connected to said arm ya pivot joint, 'said joint comprising: opposed transverse journalsprojecting laterally from the tip end of said arm, a soft rubber bushingsnugl fitting each journal, two complementary hal housings togetherforming an exterior housing enclosing said journals and 'bushin s andhaving a central opening through whic said armpasses freely withoutcontact with said housing, said half-housings having aligned projectingears with a hole therethrough, said link extending through said hole andhavin 4o nuts threaded thereon on each side of sait l ears for rigidlyclamping said half-housings upon said rubber bushings.

3. In combination, a swin ing arm, a rigid link connected to said arm ya pivot jomt,

said joint comprising: opposed transverse journals projecting laterallyfrom the tip end of said arm, a soft rubber bushing snugly fitting eachjournal, a divided housin enclosing said journals and bushings an havingan arcuate opening for permitting relative pivoting of said armtherewith, said housing being isolated from said arm and journals bysaid rubber bushings, the separate parts of said divided housing havingaligned ears thereon, and common means for clamping said housing partsupon said rubber bushings and also fixing said parts 'to said link.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature.

WILLIAM A. CHRYS' IT.

